2_New York Giants1

St Louis Rams Gameday HQ

NFC EAST
NEW YORK
2014 STRENGTHS:
• Young core of receivers, strong linebacker corps
Giants Offense
ELSA/GETTY IMAGES SPORT
It is remarkable how quickly Eli Manning’s performance
sagged. In 2012, he completed 59.9 percent of his throws and
tossed 26 TD passes, against 15 interceptions. Last year, his
success rate dropped to 57.5, and he managed just 18 scoring
strikes, against 27 picks. It was a season that confounded many
people throughout the NFL and left Giants fans wondering
whether the two-time Super Bowl champ had lost his status as
one of the league’s top-10 QBs.
There were mitigating factors, such as the New York
offensive line which was overmatched much of the year.
Manning is not the most mobile quarterback around and as the
pocket collapsed around him he was unable to feel comfortable.
The lack of a ground game was another problem, since the
Giants ran for only 1,332 yards all year and managed a mere
3.5 yards/carry. Sure, Manning forced some throws, and that
five-interception debacle against Seattle couldn’t all be blamed
on a shaky line and lack of rushing attack. Manning made a
bunch of bad decisions last year, something that had not been his
hallmark, especially in big games. To help him, the Giants have
2014 WEAKNESSES:
• New offensive line will have to learn to play
together, thin at defensive line
GIANTS
made former Green Bay assistant Ben McAdoo
offensive coordinator, replacing the retired Kevin
Gilbride. McAdoo promises a quicker tempo and
more short passes.
Manning won’t be able to blame any problems
on his receiving corps, especially since New York
got him Odell Beckham Jr. in the first round of the
2014 draft. He has good speed and size and joins
Victor Cruz (73 catches) and Rueben Randle (41, 6
TDs) in a potent trio that should put pressure on
enemy secondaries.
The offensive line has been re-tooled. New York
signed guards Geoff Schwartz and John Jerry, as
well as and center J.D. Walton while spending a
second-round draft pick on Weston Richburg, who
can play either center or guard. The unit should be
better than the one that surrendered 39 sacks last
year. Starters Will Beatty and Justin Pugh return at
the tackles and should be steady there, with freeagent
acquisition Charles Brown in reserve.
Adding Rashad Jennings and drafting highly productive
Boston College running back Andre Williams should boost the
ground game somewhat. Neither is a home run hitter, but each
should help the attack by taking some pressure off of Manning.
Both will be looked to for early help, since David Wilson, who
played in only five games last year, retired over the offseason.
Offensive Player to Watch
Can it be anyone but Manning? Through the first month of
the 2013 season, people thought he was just a little off. But as the
weeks went on, and he continued to struggle, it became clear
Manning was having a disastrous season. As we said earlier,
it wasn’t all his fault. But some of the throws he made were
way off the mark.
The challenge for him now is to rebound, something he hasn’t
had to do. He has always had trouble with interceptions—he has
led the league three times—but Manning was particularly off
target last year and must now reconnect with his receivers, find
ways to hold up under pressure and make sure he allows the
Giants to be competitive in one of the league’s weaker divisions.
Eli Manning